security patch issues (moved per request)

Hello.. I am moving this as you requested, but wanted to put the info from the other thread here..

my original question was this

whittibo wrote: BoRg, I am running version 7.7 on MSSql, can I use the patch or do I have to switch over to 7.8?  also, is there somewhere that I can sign up for important security information like this.  I came here looking for something (funny that I can't even remember what that was now?!)  but I found this.. thanks so much!

your reply was

BoRg wrote: The patch file will work on the MS SQL Server version. I'm hoping to have the new version of the mailing list finshed soon, as soon as this is done you will be able to signup to receive Newsletters and security information from the site or on the various applications.

and my next question/issue was

whittibo wrote: Hello again! I downloaded the patch, switched the files over and now nobody can register because the security code images aren't coming up.. can you please advise what I should do.. thanks!

and your reply

BoRg wrote: Not sure what the problem is without knowing the exactt error. As this is off topic open a new topic on this with a link or an error message. Also check that your security code images are uploaded in the correct folder and that the file is not corrupted. If you are using an older version than 7.7a then you may need to download the full version and update all the files.

ok.. so now that we are current.. my issue is that the security code that the new member has to type in is coming up all red x's. 

I tried to upload all those files a second time and it didn't fix the problem. 

I will download another copy of the patch and see if that helps, but if there is anything else you can think of, please let me know. 

Thanks for the reply.

Ok.. I did download the full version of 7.8.  but I have a few mods to my forum.  do I have to change everything over and redo my mods or can I just fix this security issue?

my forum is at www.chubbuddies.com/forum 

I haven't switched to 7.8 yet.  I was hoping I could just patch 7.7 but I think the patch is for 7.7a not just 7.7

when I upload the patch, it does enable the security codes thing.. but the letters/numbers (or what ever they are) are only red x's.  so I have to remove it all and restore the original settings because I had a few people try to register after I did the patch, and they contacted me and told me they couldn't read the security code to retype it.. so I took it off.  I have done this 4 times..

So I am thinking my problem is more with what version I am running then with anything.  I need to upgrade to 7.8 but I don't want to lose all my mods.